Windshield spray assembly having an adjustable spherical nozzle member



March 18, 1969 K. BAUER ET AL 3,433,416

WINDSHIELD SPRAY ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE SPHERICAL NOZZLE MEMBER Filed May 13. 1966 Fig. I

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United States Patent S 100,764 US. Cl. 239-284 Int. Cl. B05b 1/10, 15/06 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A nozzle includes a body portion having a bore defined therethrough for the flow of liquid and one end having means for connecting the body to a hose. The opposite end includes a central projecting portion which defines an annular head or shoulder at a spaced location from the opposite end. A substantially cylindrical cap is snap-fitted over the central projecting portion and it carries a spherical nozzle with a discharge passage for the liquid.

This invention relates in general to a nozzle construction, and in particular to a new and useful nozzle for directing a cleaning spray over the Windshields of automobiles which includes a snap-on cover having means for universally mounting a small-sized nozzle member which may be pivoted for varying the direction of liquid spray.

A nozzle head having at least one spherical spray nozzle for window washing devices on motor vehicles is known. This includes a spray nozzle which is adjustable in all directions and supported in an elastic bed. A metal spray nozzle is inserted along with a pressure piece of elastic material into a conical ring bore of a nozzle head. It is held by means of a metal cap surrounding the nozzle head which has an opening for the partial passage of the spray nozzle. In another embodiment of nozzle arrangement, the nozzle body has a cup-shaped bearing for the spherical nozzle and it is provided with an annular groove which protrudes slightly over the maximum diameter of the spherical nozzle to hold the nozzle in its bearing. The arrangement of a spherical nozzle in a ball body with the interposition of a bearing ring of elastic material and the covering of the nozzle head with a ball cap adapted to the form of the nozzle head in such a way that it holds the spherical nozzle in its bearing and determines the bearing clearance, requires a narrow tolerance of the manufacture of the nozzle of known design in order to insure their satisfactory operation. In addition, the known nozzle body has a complicated form and because of the arrangement of the opening of the spherical nozzles the replacement of damaged spray nozzles is cumbersome and time consuming.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an inexpensive and simple nozzle construction which includes a nozzle body having a passage or bore defined therein for the flow of liquid and which includes an end portion with a configuration for receiving a cover member with a snap-on fit. A further feature is that the cap is provided with a recess defining a substantially spherical seat for a nozzle member which may be pivoted in this seat. The nozzle member is thus advantageously aligned in a position to receive flow from the passage of the nozzle body and to direct it out at any desired angle.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cap advantageously includes an annular groove which fits over an annular projection of the body member.

In another embodiment, the cap is provided with segmental projections which snap over an annular formation on the body member. The segments are advantageously arranged so that they serve as identification features to prevent misalignment or misplacing of the cap with the body member. In addition, the cap can always be oriented on the receiving part or body so that the nozzle apertures are directed toward the disk using the segments as guides. This identification arrangement will also serve as a centering feature for the parts. In a preferred arrangement, the nozzle body which is rotatably mounted in a cap is advantageously made of a metal or hard plastic material.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved nozzle construction having a snap-on cover in which is pivotally rotatable a small-sized member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nozzle construction, particularly for windshield cleaning systems of automobiles, which includes a body portion having a liquid flow passage with a cover which is engageable over the body portion such as by a snap-fit and which provides a seat for universally mounting a small member having a flow passage or nozzle passage which permits the directing of the liquid outwardly at any desired angle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nozzle which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described, preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational and partially transverse sectional view of a nozzle constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line IIII of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a valve body or receiving part 1 having a flanged lower end 2 with a centering portion 3 and including a tubular projection with a threaded portion 4. The threaded portion 4 is to provide for means for installing the device on the exterior surface of the car adjacent the windshield. A nut 5 is threaded onto the threaded portion 4 and is provided to secure the part in position. The tubular threaded end 4 is provided with an extension 4a to permit it to be connected to a hose for supplying a liquid thereto from a liquid tank supply (not shown).

In accordance with the invention, the body 1 is provided with a central projecting part 6, and an annular receiving shoulder 13 defined therearound. A feature of the construction is that the projecting part is provided with an annular bead or flange 7 which projects outwardly to permit it to be engaged into an annular groove 9 of a pot-shaped cap or head piece 8. The lower edges of the cap 8 rest on the shoulder 13.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the head piece 8 is provided with a spherical journal or seat 11 which accommodates a spherical nozzle member 12 which may be oriented therein for discharging a liquid through a bore 12a thereof out through an opening 10 defined in a corner of the cap 8. Liquid which flows upwardly through the tubular part 4a flows upwardly through a bore 1a having an outwardly flanged upper part 1b and into a chamber 8a formed between the projection 3 6 and the cap 8. The liquid thereafter flows through the widened bevel portion 12b of the nozzle member 12 and upwardly through the bore 12a and out through the opening 10. The spherical nozzle member 12 may be oriented in any desired position in order to obtain the desired spray angle.

In accordance with the embodiment indicated in FIG. 3, there is provided a cap 8 having a surface for engaging the annular surface 6' of a body member. The cap 8 includes projecting segment portions 7 and segmented recesses 9'. The construction is such that the cap piece 8' may be properly aligned and snapped over an annular formation 6 of a body member 1 as in the other embodiment.

In a preferred arrangement, the cap '8 or 8' is advantageously made of an elastic material such as a plastic or rubber. The nozzle body 12 can be forced into the bearing set formed by the spherical recess 11 and it may be oriented in any desired location. The bottom portion of the cap 8 is advantageously curved at the location overlying the shoulder 13 in order to provide an additional seal.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A nozzle particularly for a windshield liquid cleaning system for an automobile, comprising a body portion having a bore defined therethrough for the fiow of liquid with means at one end of said body for connecting said body portion to a hose portion and having an opposite end for the discharge of liquid, a central projecting portion of reduced dimension adjacent the opposite end having an external bead, said body defining an external annular shoulderat a spaced location from said opposite end around said central projecting portion, a one-piece cap of elastic material press-fitted onto said central projecting portion and having a side wall with a groove lockingly engaged over said externalg'bead and extending to said shoulder, said cap forming a liquid and airtight seal with said body portion and having a top with a through opening with an internal substantially spherical seat, and a substantially spherical nozzle member with a bore defined therethrough rotatably mounted in said spherical seat.

2. A nozzle according to claim 1 wherein said cap has a plurality of projecting segment portions .at the interior thereof which engage over said bead of said body, portion.

3. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein said body portion includes an annular bead formation on an exterior surface, said cap having a plurality of segmental projections formed on the interior thereof which engages over said bead formation of said body portion.

4. A nozzle according to, claim 1, wherein said body portion bore has an outwardly flaring end, said nozzle member having an inwardly flaring end disposed adjacent said body portion bore.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,289,650 7/1942 Horton 239284 3,008,649 11/1961 Bock et al 239-284 3,199,787 8/1965 Oishei et a1. 239284 3,266,682 8/1966 Schultz 222-570 3,286,931 11/1966 \Vebb 239-284 FOREIGN PATENTS 742,692 12/1955 Great Britain. 924,557 4/1963 Great Britain.

M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

HOWARD NATTBR, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

